Drainage plan gets postponed

The state Department of Transportation postponed until January a drainage improvement plan on King Street between U.S. 1 and Malaga Street because of complaints from businesses. The project was scheduled to start Tuesday.

Businesses were concerned about the potential that bad weather could delay the project into the holiday season shopping period.

The Florida Department of Transportation rarely postpones a project and would not have done so without contractor MASCI of Port Orange agreeing to the new start date, according to a prepared statement.

The project, which will cost $577,000, will replace the old drainage system between the King Street Bridge over the San Sebastian River and Malaga Street.

Workers will install new pipes underneath King Street and put in a new block flow prevention structure at the San Sebastian River.

The project is now set to begin on Jan. 10 and is expected to last three months. Traffic on King and Malaga streets and Sebastian Harbor Drive will be affected during the construction.